Wyoming District (LCMS)
The Wyoming District is one of the 35 districts of the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), and encompasses the state of Wyoming as well as the Nebraska Panhandle and one congregation in Colorado; the rest of Nebraska constitutes the Nebraska District except for one congregation in the Rocky Mountain District, which also includes the rest of Colorado. The Wyoming District includes approximately 61 congregations and missions, subdivided into 6 circuits, as well as 10 preschools and 4 elementary schools. Baptized membership in district congregations is approximately 13,700, making it one of the two smallest districts along with the Montana District, which is roughly equal in size; a merger of the two districts has been proposed .
The Wyoming District was formed on September 30, 1970, separating from the Northern Nebraska District – which then merged with the Southern Nebraska District to form the current Nebraska District. Wyoming District offices are located in Casper, Wyoming. Delegates from each congregation meet in convention every three years to elect the district president, vice presidents, circuit counselors, a board of directors, and other officers. The Rev. Richard Boche was elected district president in September 2006 and was re-elected to a third term in 2012. The 2009 convention was held April 30-May 2 in Casper, WY under the theme "We Believe, Teach and Confess the Church". The 2012 convention was held May 10-12 in Casper, WY.
Presidents
- Rev. Henry W. Niermann, 1970-82
- Rev. Wilbert J. Sohns, 1982-91
- Rev. Robert C. Oberheu, 1991-94
- Rev. Ronald M. Garwood, 1994-2006
- Rev. Richard O. Boche, 2006-present
Oldest congregations
- 1886 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Sidney, Nebraska
- 1889 - Saint Paul Lutheran Church, Rushville, Nebraska
- 1892 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Cheyenne, Wyoming
- 1899 - Zion Lutheran Church, Emblem, Wyoming
- 1903 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
- 1908 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Burns, Wyoming
- 1908 - Saint James Lutheran Church, Scottsbluff, Nebraska
- 1910 - Salem Lutheran Church, Gurley, Nebraska
- 1910 - Zion Lutheran Church, Big Springs, Nebraska
- 1911 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Alliance, Nebraska
Only congregation in Colorado: Zion Lutheran Church, Grover, Colorado, 1916
Largest congregations
- Membership totals are c. 2012.
- 1101 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Gillette, Wyoming
- 788 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sheridan, Wyoming
- 706 - Immanuel Lutheran Church, Alliance, Nebraska
- 633 - Our Savior Lutheran Church, Cheyenne, Wyoming
- 574 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Riverton, Wyoming
- 546 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Cheyenne, Wyoming
- 498 - Faith Lutheran Church, Gering, Nebraska
- 454 - Our Savior Lutheran Church, Torrington, Wyoming
- 425 - Christ the King Lutheran Church, Cody, Wyoming
- 401 - Trinity Lutheran Church, Casper, Wyoming
- 382 - Mount Hope Lutheran Church, Casper, Wyoming
Only congregation in Colorado: Zion Lutheran Church, Grover, Colorado, 33 [1]